THE USE OF STANDARD AND ADVANCED TELEVISION FOR TRAVELER INFORMATION

Television broadcasting has been established as an effective delivery mechanism for traveler information as reflected by the prevalence of early morning and evening traffic reports as part of the news programming. As television technology continues to reduce the cost of transmission and interactive television (two way) services become more the norm than the experiment, the opportunity arises to produce a more comprehensive and complete traveler information service. Many of the interactive services are providing access to the Internet. The ability to utilize these innovations for traveler information depends, in part, on the decisions made by local government agencies that control the cable right-of-way. An example of overcoming the various hurdles to develop effective and comprehensive televised traveler information was demonstrated by the Atlanta Traveler Information Showcase Project. In this project, two advanced television-based systems were developed and operated: (1) a traveler information only program on five cable channels (in different counties), and (2) an interactive traveler information service for selected audiences. Both efforts were successful and they will continue as part of the legacy that the Traveler Information Showcase has left. Moreover, other efforts are in place to provide similar services in several other metropolitan areas. Since television is available to all segments of our society, these services are critical to providing information to our entire traveling population. To promulgate these services efficiently, several institutional and administrative obstacles must be overcome. One of the most accessible television distribution mechanisms for traveler information is the government cable access channels. These channels are dedicated to providing public information and, in most areas, they currently provide programming of educational shows, public committee meetings, and other public functions. As part of negotiating the right-of-way access with the cable companies, municipalities usually obtain two to five channels that are dedicated to government programming. The right to these channels is very valuable and should be utilized prudently. Usually, the peak-demand times for traveler information (i.e., weekday rush hour) correspond to available slots for other government related programming. It is important that the municipalities who control the cable access rights are strong supporters of traveler information programming.